Rue McClanahan

American actress and comedian (1934-2010)

Rue McClanahan (February 21, 1934 – June 3, 2010) was an American actress and comedian. She acted in several television sitcoms, most notably The Golden Girls. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1987. She also starred in Mama's Family. McClanahan died of a stroke.

Rue McClanahan
McClanahan in 2007
Born
Eddi-Rue McClanahan[1]

(1934-02-21)February 21, 1934
DiedJune 3, 2010(2010-06-03) (aged 76)
Cause of deathStroke
EducationArdmore High School
Alma materUniversity of Tulsa
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • author
  • fashion designer
Years active1957–2009
TelevisionMaude,
Mama's Family,
The Golden Girls
Spouse(s)Tom Bish
(m. 1958-1959; divorced)
Norman Hartweg
(m. 1959-1961; divorced)
Peter DeMaio
(m. 1964-1971; divorced)
Gus Fisher
(m. 1976-1979; divorced)
Tom Keel
(m.1984-1985; divorced)
Morrow Wilson
(m.1997-2010; her death)

McClanahan was born Eddi-Rue McClanahan.[1] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Tulsa.

She began acting on off-Broadway in New York City in 1957. Her Broadway début was in 1969. She was in the musical, Jimmy Shine. Dustin Hoffman was in the title role.

Her autobiography, My First Five Husbands ... and the Ones Who Got Away, was released in 2007.[2]

Nominations and awards

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Emmy Award Nominations:

  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for: The Golden Girls (1986)
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for: The Golden Girls (1987) (Won)
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for: The Golden Girls (1988)
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for: The Golden Girls (1989)

Golden Globe Nominations:

  • Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical for: The Golden Girls (1986)
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical for: The Golden Girls (1987)
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical for: The Golden Girls (1988)

Obie Awards (off-Broadway):

  • Best Actress for Who's Happy Now (1969) (won)

Golden Apple Awards:

  • Female Star of the Year for: The Golden Girls (1986) (won)

TV Land Awards:

  • Pop Culture Award for: The Golden Girls (2008) (won)
  • Quintessential Non-Traditional Family for: The Golden Girls (2003) (won)

Television work

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Filmography

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 "Rue McClanahan Biography". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  2. Jooley Ann (2007-04-27). "Austinist interviews Rue McClanahan". The Austinist. Archived from the original on 2012-04-28. Retrieved 2010-06-03.